Inflatable slider apparatus

ABSTRACT

A slider apparatus that includes a floatable support tube that includes a main body tube, and an end tube segment extending from the main body tube, the end tube segment including a first end and a second end, the diameter of the first end of the end tube segment being greater than the diameter of the second end of the end tube segment, a stabilizer tube attached to the support tube, and a rail system attached to the support tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an inflatable slide rail apparatussuitable for water sports.

[0002] Recreational enthusiasts on skateboards and in-line skates havetaken their sport to new levels by performing tricks and sliding alonghandrails, curb edges, and other structures found in their local areaand in skateboard parks. This interest in sliding along rails and otherstructures has migrated to water sports enthusiasts. Riders ofwakeboards and wakeskates, for example, have constructed a number ofhomemade “slider” devices.

[0003] Homemade slider devices are often made from wood, steel, plasticor a combination thereof, and tend to be rigid. Homemade slider devicesare generally designed to rest on the bottom of a body of water and areoften placed in shallow water. Such a setup creates a potentiallydangerous situation to the rider, particularly if the rider happens tomiss the device or fails to ride along the entire length of the device.

[0004] When rigid slider devices are located in navigable waterways,they pose a danger to other boaters, personal watercraft operators andwater skiers. Many agencies that regulate bodies of water do not allowpermanent structures to be placed in navigable waters without some formof permit.

[0005] Homemade slider devices are also often heavy, and cumbersomedifficult to setup, take down and transport.

SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, the invention features a method of using a sliderapparatus in which a rider of a water sport implement (e.g., a wakeboardor wakeskate) that is being pulled by a vessel, e.g., a boat, directsthe water sport implement onto the rail of the slider apparatus andattempts to travel along at least a portion of the length of the rail.Any suitable implement that can assist the rider in traveling along therail is contemplated. However, for ease of description, as well as forpurposes of illustration, the water sport implement will be referred toas a “wakeboard.”

[0007] The invention features a slider apparatus that includes aninflatable, floatable support tube that includes a main body tube and anend tube segment extending from the main body tube, the end tube segmentincluding a first end and a second end, the diameter of the first end ofthe end tube segment being greater than the diameter of the second endof the end tube segment, a stabilizer tube attached to the support tube,and a rail system attached to the support tube. In one embodiment, theend tube segment has a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape. In someembodiments, the main body tube has a cylindrical shape. In otherembodiments, the main body tube has a conical shape or a frusto-conicalshape.

[0008] In another embodiment, the end tube segment extends from the mainbody tube at an angle to the main body tube. In one embodiment, thewater contacting surface of the main tube is at an angle of from 90° toless than 180° relative to the water contacting surface of the end tubesegment. In another embodiment, the end tube segment extends down intothe water when the apparatus is placed on a body of water.

[0009] In some embodiments, the end tube segment includes a conicalshape or a frusto-conical shape and tapers from a greater diameter atthe union of the end tube segment and the main body tube to a smallerdiameter toward the terminal end of the end tube segment.

[0010] In another embodiment, the support tube includes a second endtube segment extending from the main body tube. In one embodiment, thesecond end tube segment has a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.In other embodiments, the first end tube segment extends at an angle tothe main body tube and the second end tube segment extends at an angleto the main body tube. In another embodiment, the water contactingsurface of the main tube is at an angle of from 90° to less than 180°relative to the water contacting surface of the second end tube segment.In some embodiments, the second end tube segment extends down into thewater when the apparatus is placed on a body of water. In oneembodiment, the main body tube has a cylindrical shape, the first endtube segment has a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape, and thesecond end tube segment has a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.

[0011] In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second stabilizertube coupled to the support tube. In other embodiments, the firststabilizer tube and the second stabilizer tube are positioned onopposite sides of the support tube.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the apparatus is placed on a body ofwater, the rail system extends into the body of water.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rail system includes a first rail and asecond rail in parallel relation to the first rail. In anotherembodiment, the rail system includes spacers disposed between the firstrail and the second rail.

[0014] In one embodiment, the rail system includes a first rail sectionincluding two rails in parallel relation to each other, a second railsection including two rails in parallel relation to each other, and acoupler connecting the first rail section to the second rail section. Inanother embodiment, a first end of the coupler is disposed in an openingin the first rail section and a second end of the coupler is disposed inan opening in the second rail section.

[0015] In some embodiments, the rail system includes a first railportion, a second rail portion in parallel relation to the first railportion, and a third portion disposed between the first rail portion andthe second rail portion and contiguous with the first rail portion andthe second rail portion along the longitudinal extent of the railsystem. In other embodiments, the rail system includes openings in thethird portion of the rail system. In one embodiment, the rail systemincludes attachment mechanisms attached to the support tube, theattachment mechanisms extend through the openings in the third portionto maintain the rail system on the support tube.

[0016] In another embodiment, the apparatus includes attachmentmechanisms attached to the support tube, the attachment mechanismsmaintain the rail system on the support tube. In another embodiment, theapparatus includes attachment mechanisms attached to the support tube,the attachment mechanisms extend around the spacers.

[0017] In some embodiments, the rail system includes metal. In otherembodiments, the rail system includes polymer.

[0018] In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a secondinflatable, floatable support tube coupled to the first inflatablesupport tube. In other embodiments, the second support tube includes amain body tube having a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape. Inanother embodiment, the second support tube has a cylindrical shape. Inone embodiment, the second support tube includes an end tube segmenthaving a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.

[0019] In some embodiments, the main body tube of the first support tubehas a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape and the end tube segmentof the first support tube has a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.

[0020] In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a thirdinflatable, floatable support tube coupled to the second support tube.In some embodiments, the second support tube has a cylindrical shape. Inone embodiment, the third support tube has a cylindrical shape. In otherembodiments, the third support tube has a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape. In some embodiments, the third support tubeincludes a main body tube having a conical shape or a frusto-conicalshape and an end tube segment having a conical shape or a frusto-conicalshape.

[0021] In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a coupler ringdisposed between the first support tube and the second support tube. Inone embodiment, the apparatus includes a first coupler ring disposedbetween a first support tube and a second support tube, and a secondcoupler ring disposed between the second support tube and a thirdsupport tube. In one embodiment, the coupler ring is polymeric. Inanother embodiment, the coupler ring is foam. In some embodiments, thecoupler system includes a first attachment mechanism attached to thefirst stabilizer tube and a second attachment mechanism attached to thesupport tube, the first stabilizer tube being attached to the supporttube through the first and second attachment mechanisms.

[0022] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first clevis mountattached to the first stabilizer tube and a second clevis mount attachedto the support tube, the first stabilizer tube being coupled to thesupport tube through the clevis mounts. In other embodiments, at leastone of the first clevis mount and the second clevis mount is a doubleclevis mount.

[0023] In another aspect, the invention features a slider apparatus thatincludes an inflatable, floatable support tube, a stabilizer tubeattached to the support tube, and a rail system attached to the supporttube. In one embodiment, the support tube includes a main body tube andthe average diameter of the stabilizer tube is less than the averagediameter of the main body tube.

[0024] In other embodiment, the average diameter of the stabilizer tubeis less than the average diameter of the support tube. In anotherembodiment, the stabilizer tube has a cylindrical shape.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rail system includes a first rail section,a second rail section, and a rail coupler connecting the first railsection to the second rail section. In other embodiments, the railsystem includes a first rail, a second rail in parallel relation to thefirst rail, and a spacer disposed between the first rail and the secondrail.

[0026] In another embodiment, the rail system includes a first railportion, a second rail portion in parallel relation to the first railportion, and a third portion disposed between the first rail portion andthe second rail portion and contiguous with the first rail portion andthe second rail portion along the longitudinal extent of the railsystem.

[0027] In some embodiments, the stabilizer tube is attached to thesupport tube through a clevis mount.

[0028] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a second inflatable,floatable support tube coupled to the first support tube. In someembodiments, the second support tube includes a main body tube having aconical shape or a frusto-conical shape. In another embodiment, thefirst support tube has a cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, thesecond support tube includes an end tube segment having a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape. In one embodiment, the first inflatablesupport tube includes a main body tube having a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape and an end tube segment that has a conical shape ora frusto-conical shape.

[0029] In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a third inflatable,floatable support tube coupled to the first support tube. In oneembodiment, the first inflatable floatable support tube has acylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the third inflatable floatablesupport tube has a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the thirdinflatable floatable support tube has a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape. In other embodiments, the third inflatablefloatable support tube includes a main body tube having a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape and an end tube segment having a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second inflatable floatable support tubeincludes a main body tube having a conical shape or a frusto-conicalshape and an end tube segment including a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape.

[0031] In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a coupler ringdisposed between the first support tube and the second support tube. Insome embodiments, the apparatus includes a first coupler ring disposedbetween the first support tube and the second support tube, and a secondcoupler ring disposed between the second support tube and the thirdsupport tube.

[0032] In another embodiment, the stabilizer tube is in fluidcommunication with the support tube.

[0033] In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a second stabilizertube attached to the support tube. In some embodiments, the firststabilizer tube is attached to a first side of the support tube and thesecond stabilizer tube is attached to a second side of the support tubeopposite the first side of the support tube.

[0034] In other aspects, the invention features a slider apparatus thatincludes a) a support tube that includes a main body tube including acylindrical shape and an end tube segment extending from the main bodytube, the end tube segment including a conical shape or a frusto-conicalshape and terminating in an end having a diameter less than the diameterof the main body tube, and b) a rail system attached to the supporttube.

[0035] In some aspects, the invention features a slider apparatus thatincludes a) a floatable support tube including a main body tube and anend tube segment extending from the main body tube, the end tube segmentincluding a first end and a second end, the diameter of the first end ofthe end tube segment being greater than the diameter of the second endof the end tube segment, b) a stabilizer tube attached to the supporttube, and c) a rail system attached to the support tube.

[0036] In other aspects, the invention features a method of using aslider apparatus described herein, the method including riding a watersport implement along at least a portion of the rail of the sliderapparatus.

[0037] The invention features a portable slider apparatus that exhibitsgood stability when placed on a body of water. The slider apparatus canbe constructed to provide a rigid sliding surface on a flexible,inflated structure.

[0038] It is possible to construct the slider apparatus to be capable ofquick assembly and disassembly. It is possible to construct the railsystem such that it is capable of quick attachment to and detachmentfrom the support tube, and that the components of the rail system of theapparatus are easily connected and disconnected without the use oftools. The apparatus can include coupler rings, which can add rigidityto an apparatus that includes multiple support tubes.

[0039] The slider apparatus can be constructed to include stabilizertubes that are removably attached to the main body tube.

[0040] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041]FIG. 1 is a side view of a slider apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 2 is a top view of the slider apparatus of FIG. 1 FIG. 3 isan enlarged side view of one end of the slider apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0043]FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the slider apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0044]FIG. 5 is a top view of an enlarged portion of the rail connectionsection of the slider apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0045]FIG. 6 is a partial isometric view of one embodiment of the railconnecting system shown in FIG. 5.

[0046]FIG. 7 is a partial isometric view of a second embodiment of aslider rail.

[0047]FIG. 8 is one embodiment of a rail attachment system.

[0048]FIG. 9 is an enlarged isometric view of the embodiment of a railattachment method shown in FIG. 8.

[0049]FIG. 10 is a top view of the slider apparatus of FIG. 1 with therail removed to show a portion of the attachment system.

[0050]FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of one embodiment of anattachment system of the stabilizer tube of FIG. 4.

[0051]FIG. 12 is a side view of a second embodiment of a sliderapparatus.

[0052]FIG. 13 is a top view of the slider apparatus of FIG. 12.

[0053]FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a sliderapparatus.

[0054] FIGS. 15-18 are side views of various embodiments of a sliderapparatus.

[0055]FIG. 19 is an enlarged side view of one embodiment of a connectionscheme for the various slider apparatus configurations of FIGS. 16-18.

[0056]FIG. 20 is a top view of the connection scheme of FIG. 19.

[0057]FIG. 21 is an enlarged isometric view of one embodiment of theattachment system of FIG. 11.

[0058]FIG. 22 is an enlarged isometric view of a second embodiment of anattachment system.

[0059]FIG. 23 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a coupler ring.

[0060]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of thecoupler ring of FIG. 23.

[0061]FIG. 25 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a couplerring.

[0062]FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of thecoupler ring of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a slider apparatus 10 floating on a body ofwater. The slider apparatus 10 includes an inflated, floatable supporttube 8 that includes a main body tube 12 and end tube segments 18, whichextend from the main body tube 12 into the body of water, stabilizerside tubes 14 attached to the support tube 8 on opposite sides of thesupport tube 8, and a rail system 16 attached to the support tube 8. Theslider apparatus 10 is anchored in position on a body of water withanchor lines 20 attached to the end tube segments 18.

[0064] The support tube 8 including, e.g., the main body tube 12 and theend tube segments 18, can include a single air chamber or multiple airchambers separated by a wall or a portion of a wall. The air chamberscan be in fluid communication with each other, sealed off from oneanother, and combinations thereof. The support tube can be inflated anddeflated and can be made from any suitable material including, e.g.,polyvinyl chloride, rubber, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers,polyurethane, and combinations thereof, woven and nonwoven websimpregnated with polyvinyl chloride, rubber, elastomers, thermoplasticelastomers, polyurethane, and combinations thereof.

[0065] The main body tube 12 is cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, themain body tube can be of a variety of shapes including, e.g., conical,frusto-conical, polygonal including, e.g., triangular, square,rectangular, and rhombohedral.

[0066] The end tube segments 18 are frusto-conical in shape and have adiameter that tapers along the axis 21 of the inflated tube 18 from theend of the end tube segment at the union between the main body tube 12and the end tube segment 18, to the terminal end of the end tube segment18. The axis 21 of the end tube segment 18 meets the axis 13 of the maintube segment 12 at an angle sufficient to cause the surface 19 of theend tube segment to extend at an angle to the surface 11 of the mainbody tube 12 and the water line 22. The angle can be sufficient to causethe apparatus to exert a force on the end tube segment 18 that forcesthe end tube segment 18 below the water line 22, which creates apreloaded buoyancy situation (i.e., the terminal end of the end segmentis pushed into the water, which exerts a countering force on the maintube), and increases the apparatus' buoyancy and resistance to movement(i.e., increases the stability of the apparatus) when vertical andhorizontal dynamic forces are applied to the apparatus while it floatson a body of water. For example, the water contacting surface of themain tube can extend at an angle of from 90° to less than 180° relativeto the water contacting surface of an end tube segment. Thefrusto-conical shaped end tube segment 18 and relative tilt of the tubeaxis 13 and 21 provides a substantial transition angle for the railsystem 16 towards the water line 22 and provides support to the rail 16from the union of the end tube segment 18 and the main body tube 12 tothe point the end tube segment 18 enters the water line 22. The terminalend 15 of the end tube segment 18 has a smaller diameter than theoriginating end 17 of the end tube segment 18 and is of a sufficientdiameter to support the segment of the rail section 16 attached to theend tube segment 18.

[0067] The rail system 16 is positioned on the support tube 8 such thatit extends beyond the turned down terminal end 15 of the end tubesegment 18 and below the surface of the water 22. The slider apparatuscan be constructed such that the rail system extends into the water to adepth sufficient to prevent a rider (i.e., a user of the sliderapparatus) from hitting the end of the rail with the rider's wakeboard.The rail system 16 includes two tubular rails 34 maintained in parallelrelation to one another and spaced apart from one another by spacers 26.The spacers 26 can be formed (e.g., molded) as a unitary member with therails 34. Alternately, the spacers can be attached to the rails 34through various mechanisms including, e.g., bolts, welds, adhesivecompositions, and combinations thereof. The rail system 16 includesmultiple rail sections 35 connected together by internal connectors 30and locking buttons 32. A portion of the internal connector 30 passesinto an opening in each of the tubular rails 34 and the locking buttons32 spring through holes 33 in the rails 34 to maintain the rail sections35 in locked relation with one another.

[0068] Other embodiments include rail systems of various configurations.FIG. 7, for example, illustrates an alternative embodiment of a railsystem 36 in which a unitary structure includes two parallel railportions 37 spaced apart from each other and partially defined by arecessed portion 39 in the unitary structure. The recessed portion 39 iscontiguous with the two rail portions 37 and extends along thelongitudinal extent of the rails in parallel with the rail portions 37.A portion of an internal connector 30 is locked in position in the railportions 37 and another portion of the internal connector 30 extendsfrom the rail portions 37 for connection with a second rail component.Openings (not shown) exist at intervals along the recessed portion 39 toenable the rail to be attached to the support tube 8. Alternatively, themechanisms for attaching the rail system to the support tube can beplaced on the exterior sides of the rail system.

[0069] In other embodiments, the rail system includes a single rail andcan have a generally planar surface available for contact with a rideror the wakeboard.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, a series of attachment mechanisms 28 aand 28 b for fastening the rail system 16 to the support tube 8 arelocated at spaced intervals along the length of the support tube 8. Theapparatus can be constructed to include attachment mechanisms located atthe top dead center (i.e., the position on the exterior surface of thetube that is 90° from the plane of a body of water on which theapparatus is floating) of the support tube. The attachment mechanism 28includes a strap 27 a that includes one end attached to the support tube8 and one end attached to a buckle 38, and a strap 27 b that includesone end attached to the support tube and one free end. The strap 27 awraps around a spacer 26 on the rail system. The strap 27 b passesthrough the buckle 38 and is then tightened and locked in place by thebuckle 38 to maintain the rail system 16 fixed in position against thesupport tube 8. The attachment mechanisms 28 can be positioned on eitherside of a union 42 between two sections of rail 35. The attachmentmechanisms 28 a and 28 b can be positioned and configured on the mainbody tube 12 to apply a tensioning force towards the longitudinal centerof the main body tube 12.

[0071] The straps 28 are attached to the support tube 8 by stitching 40.Alternatively, the straps can be attached to the tube using any suitablemechanism including, e.g., welds, adhesive compositions, andcombinations thereof. The straps 28 a and 28 b can be constructed fromany suitable material including, e.g., various woven and filmconstructions made from materials including, e.g., polypropylene, nylon,and combinations thereof.

[0072] Other embodiments can include any suitable mechanism forattaching the rail system 16 to the support tube 8 including, e.g., maleand female connectors, ties, elastic cords, snaps, molded connectingdevices, hook and loop, C-shaped connectors, and combinations thereof.

[0073] The side stabilizer tubes 14 of the slider apparatus 10 arepositioned along the support tube 8 and on opposite sides of the supporttube 8 to stabilize the slider apparatus 10. The stabilizer tubes 14 areattached to the main body tube 12 at positions that allow the watercontacting surfaces of all three tubes 14 and 12 to reside in the sameplane and to sit level on the surface of the body of water 22. The sidestabilizer tubes 14 are cylindrical tubes that have air chambers thatare separate from the support tube 8. The existence of separate airchambers enables the side stabilizer tubes 14 to function as anadditional flotation device in the event that another tube becomesdamaged (e.g., ruptures, becomes cut or punctured, or deflates), andprovides ease of repair in the event that a stabilizer tube 14 isdamaged. The diameter of the illustrated stabilizer tube is smaller thanthe diameter of the main body tube 12, however, the diameter of one ormore of the stabilizer tubes 14 could be equal to or greater than thediameter of the main body tube 12. In other embodiments, an air chamberof a side stabilizer tube can be in fluid communication with an airchamber of the main body tube.

[0074]FIGS. 11 and 21 show a mechanism 45 for removably attaching astabilizer tube 14 to the main body tube 12. The mechanism 45 includestwo clevis mounts 44 located on opposite sides of the point of tangency46 between the main body tube 12 and the side stabilizer tube 14. Theclevis mounts 44 can be attached to the main body tube 12 and thestabilizer tube 14 using any mechanism that will provide a strong bondbetween the two substrates including, e.g., heat welding, radiofrequency (RF) weld, adhesive composition, and combinations thereof.Multiple attachment mechanisms 45 are positioned along the length of thetubes 14 and 12. A fastener 48 (e.g., a pin or a bolt) is positionedthrough the openings of the components of the clevis mounts 44 to fixthe position of the components of the clevis mounts 44 in relation toone another. The stabilizer tube 14 can be replaced by removing thefasteners 48 that hold the clevis mounts 44 together and then separatingthe stabilizer tube 14 from the main body tube 12.

[0075] In other embodiments, the coupling mechanism 49 includes a singleclevis mount 44 attached to a first tube and a double clevis mount 50attached to a second tube, as illustrated, e.g., in FIG. 22. The singleclevis mount 44 sits inside the yoke formed by the two prongs of thedouble clevis mount 50. This construction further constrains themovement of the tubes in relation to one another. Other embodiments caninclude any suitable device capable of coupling the two tubes including,e.g., straps, rings (e.g., O-rings, D-rings, square rings, and rectanglerings), male-female connector pairs, and combinations thereof.

[0076] Other embodiments are within the claims. FIGS. 12, 13, and 15,for example, illustrate a slider apparatus 51 that includes an inflatedsupport tube 53 that includes a main body tube 52, an end tube segment54 extending at an angle to the main body tube 52 such that, if placedon a body of water, the end tube segment 54 would extend downward into abody of water, stabilizer side tubes 56, and a rail system 16. Theapparatus 51 is anchored in position on the body of water using anchorlines 20 attached to the slider apparatus 51 at opposite ends 58 and 62of the slider apparatus 51. The main body tube 52 is frusto-conical inshape and has a tube diameter that tapers along the axis 64 of the mainbody tube 52 from its exposed terminal end 58 to the union 60 of themain body tube 52 with the end tube segment 54. When the sliderapparatus 51 floats on a body of water, the frusto-conical shape of themain body tube 52 forms a ramp, which elevates the rider of theapparatus. The end tube segment 54 of the support tube 52 is alsofrusto-conical in shape and has a tube diameter that tapers along theaxis 66 of the tube 54 from the union 60 with the main body tube 52 tothe terminal end 62 of the end tube segment 54. The end tube segment 54extends at an angle from the main body tube 52. The angle can beselected to be sufficient to enable a portion of the end tube segment 54to extend down into the body of water when the apparatus is positionedon a body of water.

[0077]FIG. 14 illustrates a slider apparatus 74 that includes acylindrical support tube 76, stabilizer side tubes 78 (only one of whichis shown) on opposite sides of the support tube 76, and a rail system16. The diameter of the support tube 76 is relatively large, whichprovides a sliding surface that is elevated above the surface of thewater 22 a relatively greater distance. Increasing the diameter of themain body tube 76 increases the elevation of the sliding surfacerelative to the surface of the body of water.

[0078] FIGS. 15-18 illustrate various embodiments of a slider apparatus.The illustrations do not include the coupling system and the railsystem.

[0079]FIG. 16 illustrates a slider apparatus 80 that includes twosupport tubes 53 coupled together. The two support tubes 53 havefrusto-conical shaped main body tubes that include arcuate ends 75 infacing relation with each other.

[0080]FIG. 17 illustrates a slider apparatus 82 that includes a supporttube 53 that includes a frusto-conical shaped main body tube and acylindrical support tube 76. The arcuate terminal ends 75 and 77 of thetubes 53 and 76 are in facing relation with each other.

[0081]FIG. 18 illustrates a slider apparatus 84 in which the arcuateends 75 a and 75 b of support tubes 53 a and 53 b having frusto-conicalshaped main body tubes are in facing relation with the arcuate ends 77of a cylindrical support tube 76.

[0082]FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a coupling system 90 for coupling twosupport tubes 92 of a slider apparatus together. The coupling system 90includes a coupler ring 100, an attachment mechanism 103, and a railcoupler 106. The coupler ring 100 is positioned between the arcuate ends112 of the two tubes 92 to provide a generally concave circular contactarea between tube surface 112 and coupler surface 114 at a positionalong the arcuate tube surface 112 that is a distance from the centralaxis 116 of the tubes 92. The attachment straps 102, only one of whichis shown, are located on opposite sides of the tubes 92 and are attachedto the tubes with stitching 118. Alternatively, the straps can beattached to the tube using any suitable mechanism including, e.g., weld(e.g., RF weld and heat weld), adhesive compositions, and combinationsthereof. The length of the strap 102 is adjusted by passing the strapthrough a buckle 104 mounted within the attachment strap 102 and pullingor easing the strap 102 as necessary to respectively tighten or loosenor release the straps. The length of the straps 102 on either side ofthe tubes 92 can be adjusted relative to one another to align the tubes92 with each other. The coupling system 90, when tightened sufficientlycan inhibit or prevent movement of the tubes 92 relative to one another.

[0083] The coupler ring 100 can be of a variety of shapes and dimensionsbut is preferably a continuous band. The arcuate surface of the end tube112 and the surface of the coupler ring 114 can be constructed tomaximize the area of contact between the arcuate surface of the tube end112 and the coupler ring 114.

[0084]FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a multifaceted coupler ring that iswedge shaped in its cross section. The wedge shape provides a maximumcontact area between the coupler ring surface 114 and the spherical endsurface 112 of a tube. The multifaceted coupler rings may include anynumber of facets to create sufficient contact area with the tubes beingcoupled thereby and may be of a variety of cross sectional shapes andsurface area to maximize the tube contact area.

[0085] Other useful coupler ring configurations include, e.g.,doughnut-shaped rings, polygonal-shaped articles and rings including,e.g., triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon and octagon, andrings having a cross section that defines a variety of shapes including,e.g., a circle, an ellipse, and an oval. FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate anembodiment of a coupler ring having a circular cross section.

[0086] The rail coupler 106 of the coupling system connects andmaintains two sections of rail 16 together. The rail coupler 106includes a section of a rail 120 and internal connectors 108 attached toand extending from opposite ends of the rail section 120. The internalconnectors 108 have an outer diameter that is smaller than the innerdiameter of the rail 16 and are dimensioned to slide into the railopening 122. As the internal connectors 108 of the rail coupler 106 arepositioned within the rails 16 a locking button 110 positioned on theexterior of the internal connector 108 extends through an opening 124 inthe rail 16 to lock the rail coupler 106 in position in the rail 16. Thesection of rail 120 includes a vector intersection (i.e., the joinedends are mitered) to transition the rail from one direction to another.In other embodiments, the section of rail 120 can be planar or exhibitvarying degrees of curvature.

[0087] The slider apparatus can be held in position on a body of waterthrough anchor lines, i.e., a line that is attached to an anchor (i.e.,a weight). An anchor line can be attached to the slider apparatusthrough any suitable mechanism including, e.g., rings (e.g., O-rings,D-rings, square rings, and rectangle rings), loops, buckles, clips,snaps, and other mating devices.

[0088] In other embodiments, the end tube segments and the stabilizertubes are of a variety of shapes including, e.g., conical,frusto-conical, polygonal including, e.g., triangular, square,rectangular, and rhombohedral.

What is claimed is.
 1. A slider apparatus comprising: an inflatable,floatable support tube comprising a main body tube, and an end tubesegment extending from said main body tube, said end tube segmentcomprising a first end and a second end, the diameter of said first endof said end tube segment being greater than the diameter of said secondend of said end tube segment; a stabilizer tube attached to said supporttube; and a rail system attached to said support tube.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said end tube segment comprises a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mainbody tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said main body tube comprises a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said end tubesegment extends from said main body tube at an angle to said main bodytube.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water contacting surfaceof said main tube is at an angle of from 90° to less than 180° relativeto the water contacting surface of the end tube segment.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the end tube segment extends down into thewater when said apparatus is placed on a body of water.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said end tube segment comprises a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape and tapers from a greater diameter at the union ofsaid end tube segment and said main body tube to a smaller diametertoward the terminal end of said end tube segment.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said support tube comprises a second end tube segmentextending from said main body tube.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein said second end tube segment comprises a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said firstend tube segment extends at an angle to said main body tube and saidsecond end tube segment extends at an angle to said main body tube. 12.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the water contacting surface of saidmain tube is at an angle of from 90° to less than 180° relative to thewater contacting surface of the second end tube segment.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the second end tube segment extends downinto the water when said apparatus is placed on a body of water.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein said main body tube comprises acylindrical shape, said first end tube segment comprises a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape, and said second end tube segment comprises aconical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9,comprising a second stabilizer tube coupled to said support tube. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first stabilizer tube and saidsecond stabilizer tube are positioned on opposite sides of said supporttube.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a second stabilizer tubecoupled to said support tube.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinsaid first stabilizer tube and said second stabilizer tube arepositioned on opposite sides of said support tube.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein, when said apparatus is placed on a body of water, saidrail system extends into the body of water.
 20. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said rail system comprises a first rail and a second rail inparallel relation to said first rail.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20,comprising spacers disposed between said first rail and said secondrail.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rail system comprises afirst rail section comprising two rails in parallel relation to eachother, a second rail section comprising two rails in parallel relationto each other, and a coupler connecting said first rail section to saidsecond rail section.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein a first endof said coupler is disposed in an opening in said first rail section anda second end of said coupler is disposed in an opening in said secondrail section.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rail systemcomprises a first rail portion, a second rail portion in parallelrelation to said first rail portion, and a third portion disposedbetween said first rail portion and said second rail portion andcontiguous with said first rail portion and said second rail portionalong the longitudinal extent of said rail system.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein said rail system comprises openings in said thirdportion of said rail system.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, comprisingattachment mechanisms attached to said support tube, wherein saidattachment mechanisms extend through said openings in said third portionto maintain said rail system on said support tube.
 27. The apparatus ofclaim 1, comprising attachment mechanisms attached to said support tube,wherein said attachment mechanisms maintain said rail system on saidsupport tube.
 28. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising attachmentmechanisms attached to said support tube, wherein said attachmentmechanisms extend around said spacers.
 29. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said rail system comprises metal.
 30. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said rail system comprises polymer.
 31. The apparatus of claim1, comprising a second inflatable, floatable support tube coupled tosaid first inflatable support tube
 32. The apparatus of claim 31,wherein said second support tube comprises a main body tube comprising aconical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 33. The apparatus of claim 31,wherein said second support tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 34. Theapparatus of claim 31, wherein said second support tube comprises an endtube segment comprising a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape. 35.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said main body tube of said firstsupport tube comprises a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape andsaid end tube segment of said first support tube comprises a conicalshape or a frusto-conical shape.
 36. The apparatus of claim 31,comprising a third inflatable, floatable support tube coupled to saidsecond support tube.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said secondsupport tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 38. The apparatus of claim36, wherein said third support tube comprises a cylindrical shape. 39.The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said third support tube comprises aconical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 40. The apparatus of claim 36,wherein said third support tube comprises a main body tube comprising aconical shape or a frusto-conical shape and an end tube segmentcomprising a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 41. The apparatusof claim 31, comprising a,coupler ring disposed between said firstsupport tube and said second support tube.
 42. The apparatus of claim36, comprising a first coupler ring disposed between said first supporttube and said second support tube, and a second coupler ring disposedbetween said second support tube and said third support tube.
 43. Theapparatus of claim 31, wherein said coupler ring comprises polymer. 44.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said coupler ring comprises foam. 45.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a first attachment mechanismattached to said first stabilizer tube and a second attachment mechanismattached to said support tube, said first stabilizer tube being attachedto said support tube through said first and second attachmentmechanisms.
 46. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a first clevismount attached to said first stabilizer tube and a second clevis mountattached to said support tube, said first stabilizer tube being coupledto said support tube through said clevis mounts.
 47. The apparatus ofclaim 46, wherein at least one of said first clevis mount and saidsecond clevis mount is a double clevis mount.
 48. A slider apparatuscomprising: an inflatable, floatable support tube; a stabilizer tubeattached to said support tube; and a rail system attached to saidsupport tube.
 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said support tubecomprises a main body tube.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein saidmain body tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 51. The apparatus of claim49, wherein said main body tube comprises a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape.
 52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein saidsupport tube comprises a main body tube and an end tube segmentextending from said main body tube at an angle to said main body tube.53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said end tube segment comprises aconical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 54. The apparatus of claim 48,wherein said support tube comprises a main body tube, and wherein theaverage diameter of said first stabilizer tube is less than the averagediameter of said main body tube.
 55. The apparatus of claim 51, whereinthe average diameter of said stabilizer tube is less than the averagediameter of said main body tube.
 56. The apparatus of claim 48, whereinsaid stabilizer tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 57. The apparatus ofclaim 54, wherein said stabilizer tube comprises a cylindrical shape.58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said stabilizer tube comprises acylindrical shape.
 59. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said railsystem comprises a first rail section, a second rail section, and a railcoupler connecting said first rail section to said second rail section.60. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said rail system comprises afirst rail, a second rail in parallel relation to said first rail, and aspacer disposed between said first rail and said second rail.
 61. Theapparatus of claim 48, wherein said rail system comprises a first railportion, a second rail portion in parallel relation to said first railportion, and a third portion disposed between said first rail portionand said second rail portion and contiguous with said first rail portionand said second rail portion along the longitudinal extent of said railsystem.
 62. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said stabilizer tube isattached to said support tube through a clevis mount.
 63. The apparatusof claim 48, comprising a second inflatable, floatable support tubecoupled to said first support tube
 64. The apparatus of claim 63 whereinsaid second support tube comprises a main body tube comprising a conicalshape or a frusto-conical shape.
 65. The apparatus of claim 64, whereinsaid first support tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 66. The apparatusof claim 65, wherein said second support tube comprises an end tubesegment comprising a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 67. Theapparatus of claim 64, wherein said first inflatable support tubecomprises a main body tube comprising a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape and an end tube segment comprising a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape.
 68. The apparatus of claim 63, comprising athird inflatable, floatable support tube coupled to said first supporttube.
 69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein said first inflatablefloatable support tube comprises a cylindrical shape.
 70. The apparatusof claim 68, wherein said third inflatable floatable support tubecomprises a cylindrical shape.
 71. The apparatus of claim 69, whereinsaid third inflatable floatable support tube comprises a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape.
 72. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein saidthird inflatable floatable support tube comprises a main body tubecomprising a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape and an end tubesegment comprising a conical shape or a frusto-conical shape.
 73. Theapparatus of claim 72, wherein said second inflatable floatable supporttube comprises a main body tube comprising a conical shape or afrusto-conical shape and an end tube segment comprising a conical shapeor a frusto-conical shape.
 74. The apparatus of claim 63, comprising acoupler ring disposed between said first support tube and said secondsupport tube.
 75. The apparatus of claim 68, comprising a first couplerring disposed between said first support tube and said second supporttube, and a second coupler ring disposed between said second supporttube and said third support tube.
 76. The apparatus of claim 48, whereinsaid stabilizer tube is in fluid communication with said support tube.77. The apparatus of claim 48, comprising a second stabilizer tubeattached to said support tube.
 78. The apparatus of claim 77, whereinsaid first stabilizer tube is attached to a first side of said supporttube and said second stabilizer tube is attached to a second side ofsaid support tube opposite said first side of said support tube.
 79. Aslider apparatus comprising: a support tube comprising a main body tubecomprising a cylindrical shape, and an end tube segment extending fromsaid main body tube, said end tube segment comprising a conical shape ora frusto-conical shape and terminating in an end having a diameter lessthan the diameter of said main body tube; and a rail system attached tosaid support tube.
 80. A slider apparatus comprising: a floatablesupport tube comprising a main body tube, and an end tube segmentextending from said main body tube, said end tube segment comprising afirst end and a second end, the diameter of said first end of said endtube segment being greater than the diameter of said second end of saidend tube segment; a stabilizer tube attached to said support tube; and arail system attached to said support tube.
 81. A method of using theslider apparatus of claim 1, said method comprising riding a water sportimplement along at least a portion of said rail of said sliderapparatus.